– Baltimore harbor plunge event
– Baltimore harbor Splash participants.
Accident – Death – Obituary News :
A crowd gathered around Bond Street Wharf as approximately 150 individuals bravely dived into the waters of the Baltimore harbor on Sunday for the long-awaited Harbor Splash event — marking a significant milestone as the first public harbor swim in decades.
Organised by Baltimore-based nonprofit Waterfront Partnership, the event served as a celebratory moment to recognise the substantial progress made in enhancing water quality within the harbor over the years.
Reflections on Progress
Adam Lindquist, the director of Waterfront Partnership’s Healthy Harbor Initiative, took the opportunity to address the crowd, emphasising the ongoing efforts required to continue improving the water quality:
“There is still work to be done, and I don’t expect everyone to change their mind overnight, but today, I urge us all to reconsider our relationship with the Baltimore harbor and acknowledge that things have changed.”
The atmosphere at the event resembled a lively block party, with attendees dressed in beach-themed outfits and enjoying the festivities. Some participants, like Charles Village resident Peter Jackson, even brought along inflatables to enhance their swimming experience off the Fells Point floating pier.
Mayor Brandon Scott also joined in for a dip, underscoring the importance of further improvements in water quality:
“I have been kayaking in the Harbor for like six years, and I am still alive, so we will be OK, everybody. We will get even better water quality in our harbor by working together each and every day.”
Commitment to Environmental Restoration
Harbor Splash stands as a testament to the extensive restorative measures undertaken in Baltimore, including initiatives like the installation of Mr. Trash Wheel in 2014, which has played a vital role in removing tons of debris from the harbor. Subsequent investments in sewer infrastructure upgrades and repairs have significantly reduced sewer overflows by 76% over the past five years.
The Waterfront Partnership’s ambitious goal is to make the harbor swimmable and fishable within the next decade through collaborative efforts and the implementation of various eco-friendly projects, such as trash wheels, floating wetlands, and oyster cultivation.
Optimism for the Future
Residents like Katie Wychgram of Rosedale are optimistic about the future of the harbor, reflecting on the transformation they have witnessed:
“When I was a kid, the harbor was black water that smelled like fish, and it doesn’t anymore, so today is a big day. I am so excited and optimistic about the future of the harbor, and I look forward to swimming here again.”
Maryland’s comptroller, Brooke Lierman, attended the event to celebrate the environmental progress:
“This water centers the city and gives us a unique place on the Eastern Seaboard. We must have clean water, greenspace and healthy trees to ensure an ecosystem healthy for humans above the water and beneath it, and we will.”
These sentiments were echoed by Lierman, who has been a staunch advocate for environmental preservation, as demonstrated by her sponsorship of a bill in 2019 to ban foam food containers in restaurants and takeout establishments.
Continued Monitoring and Awareness
Scientific research conducted by the Waterfront Partnership has yielded valuable insights into water quality, with data showing that the Baltimore harbor meets state swimming beach standards when rainfall is minimal. Ongoing initiatives, such as Lindquist and other researchers jumping into the harbor to raise awareness, have garnered significant public support, as evidenced by the rapid sell-out of Harbor Splash tickets.
As the city continues its efforts to enhance water quality and promote environmental sustainability, events like Harbor Splash serve as poignant reminders of the progress made and the collective commitment to safeguarding Baltimore’s natural resources for future generations.
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– Baltimore harbor plunge
– Harbor Splash event in Baltimore.
